Alex Rankin Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award by the SMI

Alex Rankin, chairman of Vulcan Spring & Manufacturing in Telford, PA, has been presented with the Spring Manufacturers Institute (SMI) Lifetime Achievement Award. Given to only a handful of springmakers during the SMI's entire 66-year history, the award honors individuals who have been instrumental in the advancement of the SMI and the spring industry as a whole.

During his years of service as an SMI executive officer, committee chairman and board member, Rankin has aided in the dissemination of technical information throughout the spring industry. He was a driving force behind projects such as The Handbook of Spring Design, Spring Design Software and Spring Testing Guidelines. In addition, he has devoted countless hours helping individuals solve their spring design and manufacturing problems, and his technical articles have appeared in Springs Magazine. Currently, Rankin serves on the SMI Council of Past Presidents.

Rankin, a resident of Perkasie, PA, founded Vulcan Spring & Manufacturing Company in 1967 with nothing but his technical expertise and a springmaking machine set up in his basement. Today, the company employs 60 people and is located in a 60,000 sq. ft. facility in Telford, PA. Vulcan specializes in constant-force, constant-torque, variable-force springs and related assemblies. They also manufacture the Vulcan Pullbox, plastic scrolls and truck door counter balance assemblies.

SMI is a nonprofit organization that promotes the interests of North American precision mechanical spring manufacturers. This is accomplished through industry surveys and studies, networking meetings, regulatory compliance programs, publications: educational seminars and courses, software, and technical assistance.